Sunday letters

All eyes are on the finance ministerWith reference to the article A safe pair of hands (Chankaya, February 10), the finance minister must be applauded for having immediate goals such as the stabilisation of the rupee. Not only is P Chidambaram an architect of economic reforms, he is also a well-known face for investors and business houses. Though he will tackle the economic meltdown, inflation and the tax regime, he must also restore the confidence of foreign investors. -P Saravana Durai, Mumbai

II Chanakya’s reflection on the impending budget for 2013-14 is correctly perceived. With all eyes on him, it must be seen if P Chidambaram can satisfy the common man, the trading class, his UPA allies and the international community. -Sanjeev Jaggi, via email

More than an idiot boxKaran Thapar’s views in TV: a Mea Culpa (Sunday Sentiments, February 10) offer much food for thought, but not without triggering a much-needed debate on the role of the media. Given the large-scale consumption of visual media, its commercialisation must not be lost sight of. Having said that, debates by good anchors need not carry any guilt since the guns fired are sure to publicly haunt wrongdoers. -C Chandrasekaran, Mumbai

II To say that TV discussions produce a new kind of fundamentalism will not be entirely correct. While it is true that such discussions go a long way in affecting public opinion, anchors invariably ensure that healthy differences are aired and that the programme does not become lop-sided. This ensures a level playing field for all views and is definitely a good representation of a vibrant democracy. -Vijai Kumar, via email

Zeenat turns back the clockIndrajit Hazra’s article Mighty Aphrodite (Red Herring, February 10) refreshes my memories of Bollywood actress Zeenat Aman. One cannot forget her role in Dev Anand’s film Hare Krishna Hare Rama. It is good to learn that the yesteryear sex symbol is in love and is planning to tie the knot with a businessman at the age of 61. By borrowing styles from the West, the actress set many a trend a few decades ago. Now she is all set to surprise her fans again. She has proved again that love has no bar. -Jitendra Kumar, via email

II Hazra is right in stating that Zeenat Aman gave a modern and bold meaning to glamour, fashion and sex appeal. Not all directors were able to capture the unique appeal of her beauty. The first to explore her talent and later re-emphasise it in the film Heera Panna was Dev Anand. But incidentally, Zeenat’s debut film was the OP Ralhan-directed Hulchul, not Hare Krishna Hare Rama, as mentioned by the writer. -YG Chouksey, via email

Comfort of the faithfulManas Chakravarty’s article In holy comfort (Loose Canon, February 10) is right in its observation that religious trips nowadays have become more entertaining. While on such journeys, one can enjoy the creature comforts of home. With telescopes, you can now enjoy rituals like darshan without being disturbed by a crowd. In the end perhaps, saints and devotees have every right to live the way they do, with all available comforts or without. What is unfortunate is that tragedy had to unfold at the Allahabad railway station during the days of the Maha Kumbh. The government must now take all necessary steps to avoid such disasters in the future. -Lokesh Nagpal, Ludhiana